Underperforming Roar still likely finals bound

Done for? Not exactly. Nine games, a potential haul of 27 points and the luxury of a six-team finals means the Brisbane Roar remain in the A-League hunt, despite a season of uninspiring form.

New faces and an upset win on the road against Perth have given the Roar a kick-along ahead of their game against the Mariners at Suncorp Stadium tonight. What they need now is consecutive wins to provide some momentum to a season of false dawns and unwanted change.

Given their poor run earlier in the campaign, which cost coach Rado Vidosic his job, it seemed unlikely the Roar could be a major player in the finals. Prior to the Perth win, they had lost three in a row.

In previous years the dual-champions may have privately scoffed at the finals claims of some of their more lowly rivals, who were given a fighting chance not because of their quality but because six out of the 10 teams make it through.

This time, however, the Roar may be the team that benefits from the A-League's generosity. They sit seventh on the table, just one point behind Melbourne Heart, and face a top-of-the-table Mariners' side missing key face Adam Kwasnik.

Kwasnik, who had been impressive since the departure of Tom Rogic, is having knee surgery and is out for the season, although the Mariners are more than capable of winning in his absence.

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The Roar will see defender Jade North make his debut, along with Dutch signing Stefan Nijland, who could see some time up front despite just arriving in the country.

The 24-year-old former Dutch junior representative is on loan from giant PSV Eindhoven, via Willem II and Nijmegen, and has already figured in coach Mike Mulvey's plan for the game.

“My first impressions are really good, I'm glad to be here,” Nijland said.

“I think I'm a good technical player, I like to play the number 10 and that's one of the biggest reasons for coming here.

“I have heard that Brisbane Roar is the best footballing team in the league so I'll do my best here – I hope I can score goals, make goals and be important to the team."

His last match was a friendly for the PSV reserves against Sparta Rotterdam, which was played in frozen conditions with snow around the field. The transition to a humid Queensland night will be dramatic, ensuring he will only be seen in the second half if he plays at all.

He still has to learn the names of his team-mates and has only seen the A-League on the internet. Still, he might be the left-field buy the Roar needed to give them some impetus around goal.

“It's difficult to know how I'll feel but it's up to the trainer,” Nijland said. “I hope I can play as much as possible – it would be difficult to start but I'd like to get some minutes.

“I have watched a few games on YouTube but I'm so curious to see it all tomorrow.”

Shane Stefanutto and Besart Berisha return from suspension to the Roar and simply must fire. Given their lowly start, every game is a must-win for Brisbane should they want to defend their grand final trophy once more.